I think Janet McTeer took the play and put her own spin on the character of Nora. She exageratted some of the characteristics of Nora's personality. She says that Nora transitioned from a puppet controlled by her husband, into a an independant woman who realized she needed to stand on her own two feet. I agree with Janet McTeer. It is obvious in the play how Nora did anything just to satisy Torvald. When she defied him, she began to see that she was married to a stranger. Eventually she became a liberated woman. Sarah
Janet McTeer says that Nora changes from a "Stepford Wive" in Act I where she puts on a front for others showing a happy home and loving family to a woman who wants something different. Nora sees that she has a hollow marriage and fails to communicate her feelings with Torvald. She has lost herself by being passed from her father's home to her husband's. At the end of the play, Nora realizes that she needs to discover the world for herself and find out who she is.
I agree with this description of Nora's transition. In the beginning of the play, Nora has accepted and is even accustomed to being called pet names and seems content with her status as a domestic wife. However, once Krogstad threatens all of her "happiness" she realizes she never was happy in her marriage. When her and Torvald fight because of the loan, she realizes that he is not the man she thought he was and their discussion afterwards is the first serious talk they have ever had. Nora realizes that she was putting on a front for herself and for others but now has the courage to step out into the real world and discover who she is.
Janet Mcteer says A Doll's House is really a story of marriage. Janet plays Nora and tells that Ibsen created a character that is acting who doesn't know it. Because of this she felt it was right for her to be over dramatic and Nora needs an actress who can make the final conversion work. Janet Mcteer explains Nora's transition as a character. She says how she is a character that is full of doubt. She experiences an awakening about her life through the course of her marriage. At first Torvald always belittles her to make her feel small. She has no self esteem and Torvald loves how dependent on him she is. However there is a change in Act II when Nora says that she never seems more angry than for her children. She begins to experience a range of emotions. She finds herself putting up with the Torvald's behavior and is changing into a more powerful character. The way Torvald acts really affects the way Nora acts. She makes the final conversion when she changes out of her costume which is symbolic of her transformation. She decides that she is going to abandon her duties as a wife and mother to find herself and do what is best for her. She snaps and realizes she was married to a stranger. I strongly agree with her observation because she exactly disected Nora's character, transformation, and marriage. She turns into a stubborn woman who has her mind set on experiencing reality and getting out of Torvald's dollhouse.
I agree with Janet McTeer. She focuses on Nora's craziness in the beginning. She is so caught up in putting on this performance that McTeer had to act as someone else who was also acting. I think and important insight that McTeer had was the complete shift in Nora. I thought it was great by McTeer to change her voice from high-pitched and crazily exaggerated to a more serious controled voice. I thought it was a clever way to show the change
Janet McTeer explains that Nora transitions from a woman who trusts and is confident in her own husband to a woman who realizes her marriage is hollow. Originally, Nora has all of her faith in her husband. Over time, Nora and Torvald become untruthful with one another, due to many different ideas, such as their lack of communication together as they have children. Around Act II, Nora begins to change because she realizes that everything is falling apart, even though she is doing everything that is expected of her. Nora finally realizes that she is part of a flawed relationship when Torvald does not stand up for her, as she expected him to, when he finds out about the loan. Through this event, Nora sees that she is the only one who is able to stand up for herself, and this is why she leaves the house and the family - to find out who she truly is. I do agree with Janet McTeer’s observation about Nora because Nora realizes that she does not know who she is until she has no one else to rely on. All of her life, Nora was able to depend on both her father and Torvald. But when she sees that Torvald will not stand up for her mistakes, she comes to the realization that she has to create her own beliefs, ideas, and morals. Torvald does not tolerate anything less than perfect, and through this event Nora sees that she has to be strong enough to create her own voice in order to defend her own thoughts and actions. It sometimes takes a negative event in order for women to finally realize they can be independent. I agree with Janet McTeer that this play is about both women and marriage.
Janet McTeer says that at first, Nora is a flawed character who is full of doubt and made to be smaller than what she really is. However, in Act Two, she seems to have an awakening in wich she realizes that she does not have to keep acting like "daddy's perfect little girl." She realizes that women create a "perfect" front, but if something happens to them, they show who they really are. Nora realizes that she has outgrown the part that Torvald expects her to continue playing. I agree with this observation because one can clearly see the differences in Nora's character after a significant event occurs, causing Torvald to treat her very badly. She soon realizes that she is not to blame for their imperfect marriage, because Torvald is the one who is holding her back. Based on the video we watched in class, Janet McTeer seems to have portrayed the character of Nora perfectly. Because of the transition that Nora went through, it is almost as if McTeer was playing two different characters in the same play.
I definitely agree with what the other girls have said. One thing I remember specifically during the interview is how Janet McTeer mentions that in the beginning of the play she uses a higher pitched voice, acting as the Nora who's husband thinks she is a spendthrift, who only wants some money wrapped in gold paper and hung on the tree, who obsesses over her secret stash of maccaroons. Later in the play, though, when Nora discusses her issues with Torvald, Janet McTeer puts to use her true, "chesty voice" which is much more serious. I think this transition is just an audible representation of the personal transition that Nora makes over the course of the play.
I agree with Janet McTeer. In portrayal of Nora, she aimed to give off an impression of a "stepford wife." Although some people felt that her acting was exaggerated I felt that it was correct interpretation. Nora is on the surface an exaggerated shallow character. I think that anyone who is acting as Nora should should seem also surreal and not realistic. Nora puts up a front of trying to be a "perfect" woman and should come off as being superficial. Eventually Nora does evolve throughout the play into a well rounded character. Slowly she realizes that the role she was placed in may not necessaily be the role that is right for her. It was probably difficult for McTeer to play Nora due to the vast amount of emotions that Nora experiences. Nora transforms into a completely different person at the end of the play. McTeer takes into consideration that Nora changes but also keeps in mind that Nora, no matter how drastic she seems in her decisions, is still the same Nora at the beginning of the play. As an actress, McTeer tries to make Nora seem more human in her interpretation.
From the portion that I saw of the video, Janet McTeer discusses how Nora changed from being a controlled doll to an independent adult. I strongly agree with this opinion because this transition is very evident in the play. By the end of A Doll's House, Nora takes actions towards her own independene by deciding to leave Torvald. In the beginning of the play, she did everything to please her husband. She was a pretty addition to the household. As the plot develops and more is revealed Nora slowly strays away from that mold.
I believe that Janet McTeer said that Nora transitions from a female who has been controlled by males, such as with her husband and her father, to a strong, independent woman. I definitely agree with this observation. This is because at the beginning of the play, Nora is not an individual and does not make her own decisions. Nora is treated as a child, who is called pet names by her husband and her and her husband are constantly playing games. They do not have a real relationship in their marriage. Nora goes from a soft layed back character, who is a follower, and transitions. She transitions in all aspects of her life through the realization of Kristine's free will. Nora is able to find the courage to free herself from her unhappy life. For the first time in Nora's life, Nora makes a decision, which is a monumental decision of walking away from her husband and children. Nora finds her individuality.
Janet McTeer explained that Nora first started out as a woman who dedicated her life into pleasing her husband. She let her husband control her, as a young girl controls a doll. In the beginning of the play, Nora was crazy and not depicted in the way she deserved to be. Later on, McTeer explains that Nora broke free of society's expecations of her, and really acknowledged the status of her marriage. She quickly became independent after she realized the kind of man she was living with, and the kind of 'dollhouse' she was trapped in. I agree with Janet McTeer's observation because i feel as though Nora definately evolved throughout the play. McTeer depicted Nora very well.
I remember Janet McTeer stressing that in the end of the play, Nora finally realizes that her marriage to Torvald no longer contained feelings of love. The two had grown apart, and as a result, their relationship failed. This was due to the fact that two no longer talked or communicated their feelings. The issues were never resolved but rather continually swept under the rug until finally Nora could no longer take it. McTeer said that although it pains Nora to leave her husband and abandon her children, it is a course of action she must take. I agree with McTeer, I think that Nora had to break away from the environment she was in even though her actions harmed others. I agree that though it may seem selfish in some cases, one has to look at their own best interests.
I agree with Janet's observation. To be honest, when I started reading the play, I did not feel it was a feminist play at all. However, Nora's character changes so much from being a playful, immature, and naive girl to a strong independent woman. Janet McTeer really emphasizes how she had to act so childish in the beginning of the play. I think this was so that in the end the reader sees how much progress Nora has made. In reading the first pages you could never imagine Nora saying the things she did during the last scene. I think Janet really took the character seriously and encompasses all the transitions Nora made throughout A Dollshouse
I agree with Janet McTeer. In the beginning of the play she portrayed Nora as woman who was controlled by her husband, Torvald. She could almost be considered a "human robot," only mimicking her husband's commands. Also, I remember McTeer stating when she portrayed Nora's character in the first two Acts she used a high-pitched voice. By using a high-pitched voice, McTeer portrayed Nora as a "ditzy" married woman who is incapable of using or speaking her mind. It is not until the Final Act does McTeer portray Nora as an independent female ready to defend her actions and pride. Torvald who in the Final Act treats Nora with no respect or love, in turn, showing Nora the man she really married. McTeer now uses a strong, distinct voice since she wants Torvald and the audiance to know she is finally an "independent woman!" Nora sits Torvald down to have a conversation in which she tells him she needs to begin a life without him. She needs to make her own decisions and choices, in essence, she needs to feel liberated. Both Nora and Torvald must have known that their marriage was falling apart but Torvald was willing to fix it while Nora knew the damage could not be repaired. Even though it pained Nora to leave her husband and children or seemed selfish, she knew it had to be done!
I agree with McTeer. Throuthout the interview, she explains how Nora, in the beginning of the play, is somewhat of a "stepford wife" and superficial by trying to please everyone. Throughtout the play, Nora becomes more indepedent and free spoken. Nora does a 180 degree turn personality, emotionally, and mentally wise. To portray such a dramatic change, McTeer said she started out the play by speaking in a higher more lively voice and had exaggerated actions. I agree with her method of acting because she was trying to show the dramatic change Nora goes through. By the end of the play, McTeer plays a more serious, down to earth character that now has the knowledge she can do it all on her own. McTeer portrays Nora as a strong-willed, stern character by not breaking into Torvald and holding her own throughout the last scence getting ready to leave. She keeps her composure and an air of maturity by the fact she is not all giddy and carefree she was in the beginning of the play. By the end, Nora finally does realize what her marraige truly was (a marraige founded on lackluster feelings which dont even exist anymore) and how she must better herself by leaving and taking a stand for herself. I agree with McTeer when she said it was necessary for Nora to go on her own at the end. Even though it may have been self-centered, she still needed to get away and control herself for the first time and not by a man.
I think Janet McTeer took the play and put her own spin on the character of Nora. She exageratted some of the characteristics of Nora's personality. She says that Nora transitioned from a puppet controlled by her husband, into a an independant woman who realized she needed to stand on her own two feet. I agree with Janet McTeer. It is obvious in the play how Nora did anything just to satisy Torvald. When she defied him, she began to see that she was married to a stranger. Eventually she became a liberated woman.
ReplyDeleteSarah
Janet McTeer says that Nora changes from a "Stepford Wive" in Act I where she puts on a front for others showing a happy home and loving family to a woman who wants something different. Nora sees that she has a hollow marriage and fails to communicate her feelings with Torvald. She has lost herself by being passed from her father's home to her husband's. At the end of the play, Nora realizes that she needs to discover the world for herself and find out who she is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this description of Nora's transition. In the beginning of the play, Nora has accepted and is even accustomed to being called pet names and seems content with her status as a domestic wife. However, once Krogstad threatens all of her "happiness" she realizes she never was happy in her marriage. When her and Torvald fight because of the loan, she realizes that he is not the man she thought he was and their discussion afterwards is the first serious talk they have ever had. Nora realizes that she was putting on a front for herself and for others but now has the courage to step out into the real world and discover who she is.
Janet Mcteer says A Doll's House is really a story of marriage. Janet plays Nora and tells that Ibsen created a character that is acting who doesn't know it. Because of this she felt it was right for her to be over dramatic and Nora needs an actress who can make the final conversion work. Janet Mcteer explains Nora's transition as a character. She says how she is a character that is full of doubt. She experiences an awakening about her life through the course of her marriage. At first Torvald always belittles her to make her feel small. She has no self esteem and Torvald loves how dependent on him she is. However there is a change in Act II when Nora says that she never seems more angry than for her children. She begins to experience a range of emotions. She finds herself putting up with the Torvald's behavior and is changing into a more powerful character. The way Torvald acts really affects the way Nora acts. She makes the final conversion when she changes out of her costume which is symbolic of her transformation. She decides that she is going to abandon her duties as a wife and mother to find herself and do what is best for her. She snaps and realizes she was married to a stranger. I strongly agree with her observation because she exactly disected Nora's character, transformation, and marriage. She turns into a stubborn woman who has her mind set on experiencing reality and getting out of Torvald's dollhouse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Janet McTeer. She focuses on Nora's craziness in the beginning. She is so caught up in putting on this performance that McTeer had to act as someone else who was also acting. I think and important insight that McTeer had was the complete shift in Nora. I thought it was great by McTeer to change her voice from high-pitched and crazily exaggerated to a more serious controled voice. I thought it was a clever way to show the change
ReplyDeleteJanet McTeer explains that Nora transitions from a woman who trusts and is confident in her own husband to a woman who realizes her marriage is hollow. Originally, Nora has all of her faith in her husband. Over time, Nora and Torvald become untruthful with one another, due to many different ideas, such as their lack of communication together as they have children. Around Act II, Nora begins to change because she realizes that everything is falling apart, even though she is doing everything that is expected of her. Nora finally realizes that she is part of a flawed relationship when Torvald does not stand up for her, as she expected him to, when he finds out about the loan. Through this event, Nora sees that she is the only one who is able to stand up for herself, and this is why she leaves the house and the family - to find out who she truly is. I do agree with Janet McTeer’s observation about Nora because Nora realizes that she does not know who she is until she has no one else to rely on. All of her life, Nora was able to depend on both her father and Torvald. But when she sees that Torvald will not stand up for her mistakes, she comes to the realization that she has to create her own beliefs, ideas, and morals. Torvald does not tolerate anything less than perfect, and through this event Nora sees that she has to be strong enough to create her own voice in order to defend her own thoughts and actions. It sometimes takes a negative event in order for women to finally realize they can be independent. I agree with Janet McTeer that this play is about both women and marriage.
ReplyDeleteJanet McTeer says that at first, Nora is a flawed character who is full of doubt and made to be smaller than what she really is. However, in Act Two, she seems to have an awakening in wich she realizes that she does not have to keep acting like "daddy's perfect little girl." She realizes that women create a "perfect" front, but if something happens to them, they show who they really are. Nora realizes that she has outgrown the part that Torvald expects her to continue playing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this observation because one can clearly see the differences in Nora's character after a significant event occurs, causing Torvald to treat her very badly. She soon realizes that she is not to blame for their imperfect marriage, because Torvald is the one who is holding her back. Based on the video we watched in class, Janet McTeer seems to have portrayed the character of Nora perfectly. Because of the transition that Nora went through, it is almost as if McTeer was playing two different characters in the same play.
I definitely agree with what the other girls have said. One thing I remember specifically during the interview is how Janet McTeer mentions that in the beginning of the play she uses a higher pitched voice, acting as the Nora who's husband thinks she is a spendthrift, who only wants some money wrapped in gold paper and hung on the tree, who obsesses over her secret stash of maccaroons. Later in the play, though, when Nora discusses her issues with Torvald, Janet McTeer puts to use her true, "chesty voice" which is much more serious. I think this transition is just an audible representation of the personal transition that Nora makes over the course of the play.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Janet McTeer. In portrayal of Nora, she aimed to give off an impression of a "stepford wife." Although some people felt that her acting was exaggerated I felt that it was correct interpretation. Nora is on the surface an exaggerated shallow character. I think that anyone who is acting as Nora should should seem also surreal and not realistic. Nora puts up a front of trying to be a "perfect" woman and should come off as being superficial. Eventually Nora does evolve throughout the play into a well rounded character. Slowly she realizes that the role she was placed in may not necessaily be the role that is right for her. It was probably difficult for McTeer to play Nora due to the vast amount of emotions that Nora experiences. Nora transforms into a completely different person at the end of the play. McTeer takes into consideration that Nora changes but also keeps in mind that Nora, no matter how drastic she seems in her decisions, is still the same Nora at the beginning of the play. As an actress, McTeer tries to make Nora seem more human in her interpretation.
ReplyDeleteFrom the portion that I saw of the video, Janet McTeer discusses how Nora changed from being a controlled doll to an independent adult. I strongly agree with this opinion because this transition is very evident in the play. By the end of A Doll's House, Nora takes actions towards her own independene by deciding to leave Torvald. In the beginning of the play, she did everything to please her husband. She was a pretty addition to the household. As the plot develops and more is revealed Nora slowly strays away from that mold.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Janet McTeer said that Nora transitions from a female who has been controlled by males, such as with her husband and her father, to a strong, independent woman. I definitely agree with this observation. This is because at the beginning of the play, Nora is not an individual and does not make her own decisions. Nora is treated as a child, who is called pet names by her husband and her and her husband are constantly playing games. They do not have a real relationship in their marriage. Nora goes from a soft layed back character, who is a follower, and transitions. She transitions in all aspects of her life through the realization of Kristine's free will. Nora is able to find the courage to free herself from her unhappy life. For the first time in Nora's life, Nora makes a decision, which is a monumental decision of walking away from her husband and children. Nora finds her individuality.
ReplyDeleteJanet McTeer explained that Nora first started out as a woman who dedicated her life into pleasing her husband. She let her husband control her, as a young girl controls a doll. In the beginning of the play, Nora was crazy and not depicted in the way she deserved to be. Later on, McTeer explains that Nora broke free of society's expecations of her, and really acknowledged the status of her marriage. She quickly became independent after she realized the kind of man she was living with, and the kind of 'dollhouse' she was trapped in. I agree with Janet McTeer's observation because i feel as though Nora definately evolved throughout the play. McTeer depicted Nora very well.
ReplyDeleteI remember Janet McTeer stressing that in the end of the play, Nora finally realizes that her marriage to Torvald no longer contained feelings of love. The two had grown apart, and as a result, their relationship failed. This was due to the fact that two no longer talked or communicated their feelings. The issues were never resolved but rather continually swept under the rug until finally Nora could no longer take it. McTeer said that although it pains Nora to leave her husband and abandon her children, it is a course of action she must take. I agree with McTeer, I think that Nora had to break away from the environment she was in even though her actions harmed others. I agree that though it may seem selfish in some cases, one has to look at their own best interests.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Janet's observation. To be honest, when I started reading the play, I did not feel it was a feminist play at all. However, Nora's character changes so much from being a playful, immature, and naive girl to a strong independent woman. Janet McTeer really emphasizes how she had to act so childish in the beginning of the play. I think this was so that in the end the reader sees how much progress Nora has made. In reading the first pages you could never imagine Nora saying the things she did during the last scene. I think Janet really took the character seriously and encompasses all the transitions Nora made throughout A Dollshouse
ReplyDeleteI agree with Janet McTeer. In the beginning of the play she portrayed Nora as woman who was controlled by her husband, Torvald. She could almost be considered a "human robot," only mimicking her husband's commands. Also, I remember McTeer stating when she portrayed Nora's character in the first two Acts she used a high-pitched voice. By using a high-pitched voice, McTeer portrayed Nora as a "ditzy" married woman who is incapable of using or speaking her mind. It is not until the Final Act does McTeer portray Nora as an independent female ready to defend her actions and pride. Torvald who in the Final Act treats Nora with no respect or love, in turn, showing Nora the man she really married. McTeer now uses a strong, distinct voice since she wants Torvald and the audiance to know she is finally an "independent woman!" Nora sits Torvald down to have a conversation in which she tells him she needs to begin a life without him. She needs to make her own decisions and choices, in essence, she needs to feel liberated. Both Nora and Torvald must have known that their marriage was falling apart but Torvald was willing to fix it while Nora knew the damage could not be repaired. Even though it pained Nora to leave her husband and children or seemed selfish, she knew it had to be done!
ReplyDeleteI agree with McTeer. Throuthout the interview, she explains how Nora, in the beginning of the play, is somewhat of a "stepford wife" and superficial by trying to please everyone. Throughtout the play, Nora becomes more indepedent and free spoken. Nora does a 180 degree turn personality, emotionally, and mentally wise. To portray such a dramatic change, McTeer said she started out the play by speaking in a higher more lively voice and had exaggerated actions. I agree with her method of acting because she was trying to show the dramatic change Nora goes through. By the end of the play, McTeer plays a more serious, down to earth character that now has the knowledge she can do it all on her own. McTeer portrays Nora as a strong-willed, stern character by not breaking into Torvald and holding her own throughout the last scence getting ready to leave. She keeps her composure and an air of maturity by the fact she is not all giddy and carefree she was in the beginning of the play. By the end, Nora finally does realize what her marraige truly was (a marraige founded on lackluster feelings which dont even exist anymore) and how she must better herself by leaving and taking a stand for herself. I agree with McTeer when she said it was necessary for Nora to go on her own at the end. Even though it may have been self-centered, she still needed to get away and control herself for the first time and not by a man.
ReplyDelete